Friday, February 17, 2012

CCL evaluations in the race for the Delgado vacancy in the 6th Subcircuit

The Chicago Council of Lawyers has released its evaluations of candidates running for the Delgado vacancy in the 6th Subcircuit. Candidates are listed in ballot order. All of the following are candidates in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this Circuit Court vacancy.

Beatriz Santiago -- Qualified

Beatriz Santiago was admitted to practice in 1996. She is an Assistant Cook County Public Defender defending felony cases in the Juvenile Division. For three years she was in private practice doing personal injury litigation. She is active in community affairs. As an Assistant Public Defender she has tried over 200 bench trials to verdict.

She is considered to have very good legal ability with good litigation skills. She was praised by both judges, colleagues, and prosecutors as being a zealous advocate for her clients while maintaining a professional demeanor. She is praised for her integrity. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Mark V. Ferrante -- Well Qualified

Mark Vincent Ferrante was admitted to practice in Illinois on November 9, 1983. From April 1991 to the present he has worked at the Law Offices of Mark V. Ferrante as the owner of the firm. His practice focuses on personal injury matters. He has served in the Chicago Department of Law. He received a Pro Bono Service Award from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Federal Bar Association. Mark Ferrante is highly praised for his legal ability, his professionalism, his attention to detail, and temperament. He has substantial litigation experience in more complex matters and has written and lectured for the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Gregory Emmett Ahern, Jr. -- Qualified

Gregory E. Ahern Jr. was admitted into practice in 1995, and has been an Assistant State’s Attorney his entire career. He became a first chair in 2004, handling felony trials. As lead trial counsel, he reports that he has brought 15 cases to a jury verdict. In addition, he has litigated 26 appellate cases. Mr Ahern is described as having good legal ability and is hardworking with an even-keeled temperament. He is considered ethical and is praised by opposing counsel as being honest and well-prepared. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Carlos Claudio -- Not Recommended

Carlos Claudio did not submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds him Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.

Kent A. Delgado -- Qualified

Kent Delgado was admitted to practice in 1996. He is currently a partner with Delgado and Tiernan, PC doing criminal defense, probate, and immigration law. From 1996 to 2007, he served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. He reports handling 25 criminal jury trials, 1 civil law jury trial, more than 500 criminal law bench trials and 6 civil law bench trials. Mr. Delgado has substantial trial experience in more complex matters. He is respected for his knowledge of the law and for his litigation skills. He is considered to have good legal ability and temperament, and he is praised for his willingness to mentor other attorneys. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Richard Lugo -- Not Qualified

Ricardo Lugo was admitted to practice in Illinois in 2001 and in Wisconsin in 1991. From 1991 to 2000, he served as an Assistant Public Defender, concentrating in juvenile law matters. From 2002 to 2004, he was in private practice in Cook County. His present professional practice is Deputy General Counsel for the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. He has been with the Clerk’s Office in some capacity since November 2004. He is currently engaged in human resources matters. His responsibilities for the past seven years have been mostly supervisory and administrative. He currently volunteers as an advisor at the trial advocacy skills clinic at the University of Chicago Law School. Mr. Lugo is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. Most of his litigation experience is from his employment as an Assistant Public Defender in Wisconsin between 1991 and 2000, although he was involved in a litigation practice in Chicago between 2002 and 2004. Many lawyers praise his work and his litigation skills. The Council is concerned that his litigation experience is not recent and that much of his legal career has not involved litigation. On balance, the Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.

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